Vettel back in title race

Sebastian Vettel yesterday revived his championship chances on a day when those of Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber were thrown up in the air.

For the first time this year in four attempts Vettel won from pole position, taking the chequered flag at the European Grand Prix for his second win this season and ninth of his career.

In total contrast, Webber’s race was over after nine laps after a spectacular, horrifying crash that remarkably ended with the 33-year-old walking away unscathed.

Vettel now finds himself third in the standings, 12 points behind McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and six adrift of his team-mate Jenson Button after they joined him on the podium in second and third.

With 10 races remaining, the title race remains wide open as even Webber is only 24 points down and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso 29.

“Two races can change a lot,” said Vettel.

“McLaren have had a very good run, and looking at it now, I think it’s between us and McLaren.

“Ferrari made a step forward this weekend, and they will come back, there’s no question about that. It will be tight.

“At the moment it probably looks as if Mercedes are losing a little bit, but even they can play a role if they have a very strong car at the end.

“But we will see. It’s not even half time, so there’s a long way to go.”

As for Webber, he is just relieved he will be at Silverstone on July 11 for the British Grand Prix after running into the back of Heikki Kovalainen’s Lotus.

Travelling at 190mph on the fastest part of the Valencia circuit, the impact propelled Webber into the air.

Webber’s car initially landed upside down on its front wing before momentum sent it bouncing off the track onto the rear, eventually righting itself.

A 100 metre slide into a tyre barrier followed, with Webber pinging back off it like a rubber ball before coming to rest.

Within seconds he was up and out of his wrecked Red Bull, and even later joined in the celebratory team photo, although it was clear he was not in the mood to do so.

Webber had previously been the only driver to finish every race this year in the points, but appreciating his circumstances, he said: “Headline stuff was going through my head when I was in the air.

“I lost some points, but in the end when you’re up there, you’re not worried about points.

“I was worried that I was going to be okay, ready for Silverstone, and other than a few scratches and bruises, I will be.

“I remain incredibly positive. We go on, it’s halfway through the championship, so let’s get on with it.”

Team boss Christian Horner naturally had mixed emotions after the race, but primarily was just grateful to see Webber up and walking.

“The most important thing is Mark emerged unscathed after what was a horrible-looking accident,” said Horner.

“It’s never nice to see a car go in the air like that, but the chassis and safety cell has done what it should.

“That is testimony to the work of the FIA to increase the safety standards in the sport.”